‘Long bow to draw?’: Premier quizzed on fatal traffic blackspot
Mike Smithson thinks the government spending millions on a high-speed MotoGP track while failing to fix an accident blackspot needs a closer look.
The Premier says it’s a long bow drawing any comparison between promoting a high-speed MotoGP race for Adelaide and defending an appalling record of fatalities at a notorious black spot.
It’s true, the government isn’t responsible for the speeds at which people travel on busy outer suburban roads.
Governments actively promote road safety and can’t be on hand to flag down speeding drivers.
It’s obviously a case of drivers being responsible for their own actions.
So why was I so determined to point out an inconvenient truth to Peter Malinauskas?
Before an unrelated media conference last week, I indicated to a media advisor and to the Premier personally that questions would be asked about a fatal accident the night before in Virginia.
A 53-year-old local man had died after he was t-boned by a driver in an SUV who allegedly failed to give way at the intersection of King Road and Penfield Road.
The Premier is not expected to be across every bit of overnight minutia and was quick to search for the fatality location on his Google maps app.
He then exited from my earshot to make a quick phone call and re-emerged for his media conference that was about announcing new fish stocks for recreational fishing.
When we soon got to the other topic from the night before, even I was surprised with his rapidly devised response.
“Given we’ve seen this fatality on the back of other accidents occurring at the same intersection in the recent past, I’ve instructed the Department of Infrastructure and Transport this morning to work collaboratively with SAPOL and the major cash investigation, following their efforts, just to see what our options are here,” he said.
You might like
“Ultimately someone has lost their life here in a tragic accident, and first and foremost, our thoughts are with their family.”
It’s not the first recent death, with a six-year-old girl dying from an accident at this spot exactly one year ago, to the day.
I pointed out to the Premier that his quick “fix it” response, literally orchestrated in just five minutes, was appropriate, but could be seen as a convenient attempt to defuse what was to come.
Complaints about the intersection, including a give-way sign rather than a stop sign, no street lighting and a patchwork of filled-in potholes, have been consistently raised by residents for almost a decade.
Some have bitterly complained that a combination of speeding drivers and poorly maintained roads may have contributed to multiple deaths at this location.
They can be forgiven for thinking the wheels of progress are turning very slowly, if at all.
Some of them point an accusing finger at the Premier for spending $96 million of taxpayers’ money on a pristine MotoGP track in the Adelaide CBD which allows and actively promotes death-defying speeds, yet barely gives lip service to inadequate roads, such as these, out north.
The Premier does not buy that argument at all.
“I think that’s a long bow to draw, to put it mildly,” he told me.
“There are two things that you’ve put to me that seem to be inconsistent.
“Is it the intersection or people speeding?
“Because if it’s people speeding, then that’s a reflection on them, as speeding puts people in danger.
“Not just themselves at great risk, but other people on the road.
“That’s a different consideration to an intersection upgrade.”
He strongly maintains high speeds on racetracks in highly controlled and regulated environments are completely different from using roads for the purpose of moving goods and people.
Even just hours after the death, as emotions flowed from residents, the Premier stated that it was a bit of a stretch for anyone to say that official motor sport events are an invitation or sanction for speeding on open roads.
Stay informed, daily
Perhaps the Premier or his cabinet members might want to pay the people in Virginia a visit to hear and see their direct concerns.
A give-way sign at this unlit black spot does not even force motorists to lawfully stop.
A well-lit and forewarned stop sign seems to be a more sensible solution, let alone the installation of traffic lights.
As the northern housing boom flourishes, fit for purpose roads should be an absolute priority rather than them being hastily put on a “check it out” agenda just minutes before facing the cameras.
But be warned Premier, and others, you had better approach these northern suburbs residents with caution.
“Nothing’s getting done and until one of the politician’s family members is actually killed, I don’t believe anything will happen,” one local man stated at the same moment the Premier’s media gathering was taking place 50 kms away.
“I’ll make it a challenge for the state government of South Australia to come out and have a look at this.
“Nick Champion (MP for Taylor) doesn’t even live in this area; he lives in another part of Adelaide.
“So, come out Nick Champion and have a look.
“Pull your head out of your arse.”
Another concerned middle aged bystander said he had lived in the region for 33 years and claims he has=s experienced six deaths over that timeframe.
He says, while Playford Council has made slight changes to the signage, that, at the very least, it should be changed to a stop sign.
Council minutes, dating as far back as 2020, show a push for improved signage which is still being argued with transport authorities on a cost basis.
“It’s blood on the hands of the department (DPTI) for sitting on their hands and doing nothing,” the bystander said.
The Labor government also needs to be mindful this electorate sits in the heart of a growing One Nation fan base, according to this year’s state election result.
It is traditionally a Labor-held seat, but subject to the changing winds of political fortune.
Don’t for one minute think the good folk of Virginia and surrounding areas won’t forget the comments that have been made this week when they vote at the next federal election in 2028 or the state poll in 2030.
Never take their votes for granted.
Mike Smithson is also weekend presenter and political analyst for 7News
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
